The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the
UF Health Jacksonville Neuroscience Institute is a multidisciplinary service
that offers patients the latest diagnosis and treatment options for epilepsy care.
The program has been an NAEC Level 4 Certified Epilepsy Care Center since 2006.
The University of Florida physicians come from various disciplines and are committed
to providing state-of-the-art care to improve the quality of life of their patients.
The program is headed by full-time, board certified physicians who are subspecialty
trained in epilepsy and electrophysiology, a full-time epilepsy program coordinator,
nurse research coordinators, and pharmacy doctorates. Physicians, pharmacists and
nurse coordinators provide patients with the latest in medications and life management
education to significantly improve each patient's quality of life. The program provides:
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Sophisticated, state-of-the-art neurophysiologic assessment (EEG, evoked potentials,
24-hour ambulatory EEG monitoring, functional brain mapping)
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Inpatient video monitoring to diagnose difficult cases, determine optimum medication
regimens, and evaluate potential epilepsy surgery patients
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Neuro-psychological assessment and psychological counseling
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Epilepsy surgery for medically refractory epilepsy
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Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)
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Access to the latest clinical research trials in epilepsy including clinical drug
trials and new surgical treatments
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Educational and
support group programs
Services
The neurologists at the UF Health Jacksonville Neuroscience Institute offer a wide
array of diagnostic procedures to evaluate patients for epilepsy, including:
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Ambulatory EEG Services - Through the use of ambulatory EEG recording,
patients can undergo continuous EEG recording while at home or at work. This technique
is useful in helping diagnose seizures while allowing patients to continue their
everyday activities.
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Digital Video-EEG Monitoring - Using the latest computerized software
programs this technology allows physicians to observe actual seizures and correlate
them into EEG changes. This procedure is useful in helping to identify more precisely
the patient's seizure type, either as part of a presurgical evaluation or for purposes
of improving drug therapy.
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Electrocorticography (ECoG) - Through this procedure, physicians
are able to record electrical activity directly from the brain surface. Usually
performed in conjunction with epilepsy surgery, this procedure is one of many we
offer to more accurately identify the region of the brain responsible for the seizure
activity.
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Electroencephalographic (EEG) Investigation - The EEG remains the
most important test for studying electrical brain activity. It is used in evaluating
patients with suspected seizures, by helping to determine precisely the patient's
seizure type and as part of testing for individuals undergoing presurgical evaluation.
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Functional Brain Mapping - Functional brain mapping allows physicians
to identify the function of different brain centers. This technique is available
only at leading medical centers throughout the country and is performed by highly
trained neuroscientists either in the course of epilepsy surgery or during video-EEG
monitoring.
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Intra-Arterial Brevital Test - Also known as the WADA test, this
is an advanced neuropsychological testing procedure performed by highly trained
individuals as part of a presurgical evaluation. By "putting half the brain to sleep,"
physicians gain a deeper understanding of how each part of the brain works and use
this knowledge to plan surgical strategies that produce optimum results.
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Neuroimaging - Using the latest techniques in magnetic nuclear
imaging (MRI), highly skilled neuroradiologists are able to identify minute abnormalities
in MRI images that allow physicians to identify the brain area of seizure activity.
More about Neuroradiology »
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PET Scan - This technique measures regional brain metabolism and
is helpful in identifying the area of seizure activity. UF Health Jacksonville is
one of few local hospitals with this technology, which is performed by highly trained
nuclear medicine physicians.
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Psychological Evaluation - A board-certified neuropsychologist
performs detailed psychological testing to help identify the areas of the brain
prone to seizure activity and assess the effects of treatment on cognition. This
type of evaluation is also useful in helping patients deal with the emotional aspects
of their disease and improve their quality of life.
More about Neuropsychology »
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Single Photon Emission Coherence Tomography (SPECT) Scan - Using
gamma emitting radioisotopes, SPECT scanning measures blood flow to the brain and
is helpful in identifying the area of seizure onset in epileptic patients.
Intervention & Treatment Options
The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program provides intervention and treatment options to
stabilize patients and minimize the risk of permanent disability, while enhancing
their quality of life. The center provides state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient
services for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with epilepsy.
Our comprehensive approach features:
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Outpatient Care - The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program has daily
epilepsy clinics at the UF Health Jacksonville Neuroscience Institute, the UF Health
Neuroscience Institute at Emerson and UF Health Multispecialty Center - St. Marys
in Georgia. Staffed by fellowship-trained epileptologists, these clinics allow patients
to receive individual care tailored to their specific conditions.
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Inpatient Consultation - Our staff epileptologists are available
for inpatient consultation at UF Health Jacksonville, St. Vincent's Medical Center,
Baptist Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital
and Camden Medical Center, Ga.
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Clinical Drug Trials - Through clinical drug trials, patients who
meet the appropriate criteria are able to receive the latest in epilepsy medication
research.
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Epilepsy Surgery - This technique is reserved for those patients
with difficult-to-control seizures despite medications. Patients who undergo surgery
have a very good chance of successfully controlling seizures. The ability to perform
this procedure requires a team of highly skilled professionals. UF Health Jacksonville
is proud to be able to offer this sophisticated service.
More about Epilepsy Surgery »
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation - This is another treatment option for
patients with difficult-to-control seizures. This involves implanting a "brain pacemaker"
at the side of the neck and may be a useful treatment option in a select group of
medically refractory patients. Rehabilitation and Life Management Skills Vocational
Therapies Patients are assessed by the epilepsy program coordinator from a psychological
and social standpoint for rehabilitation needs, such as vocational therapy. Patients
are trained or rehabilitated for work opportunities based on their functional ability.
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Education and Support Groups - A support group and education series
on epilepsy is held each month at UF Health Jacksonville. Speakers include physicians,
nurses, therapists and other health professionals. The support group for patients
and caregivers is open to the public. Periodic courses and symposiums on epilepsy
are offered to the public and medical community. The program offers a resource library
with brochures, books and videos, and is open to patients and families during regular
business hours.
View available
support groups »
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Pregnancy in Epilepsy Program - The new Pregnancy in Epilepsy program, or PEP, at UF
Health Jacksonville is a unique offering to patients in our area. The program addresses the challenges
and concerns of pregnant women with epilepsy. In addition, the team offers individualized care
every month for women with epilepsy during their pregnancy.
PEP services include:
- Offices visits with epilepsy physicians throughout pregnancy
- Coordination with obstetricians
- Consultation with pharmacists regarding anti-seizure medications
- Epilepsy program coordinator offers counseling to patients
- FAQs regarding pregnancy in epilepsy
- Information on pregnancy support services
- Pregnancy data registries that determine which anti-seizure medications cause birth defectsng
- Specific recommendations on breastfeeding for women with epilepsy
Referral
Refer a Patient
904-244-9190
To refer a patient, physicians can simply complete a
referral form and fax to our office or call the numbers below.
The referring physician is notified of the patient's appointment within 24 hours.
Patients will be seen within seven to 14 days. Referring physicians are continually
updated on their patient's progress and receive dictated notes from attending physicians.
If a referring physician has a patient with an urgent need to see a neurologist,
the Neuroscience Institute will see the patient within 24 hours of the referral.
The physician's office should call the Neuroscience Institute at 904-244-9190,
press the referral option and speak with a referral coordinator or leave a message.
The referring physician should indicate the patient's urgent neurological needs.
This urgent care patient referral process is available to all physicians.
Patient referrals are also accepted at the outpatient University of Florida specialty
care centers. Please call the offices below for referral forms and information.
Administration
Operations Manager - 904-244-9522
Locations
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Tower I, 9th Floor
580 West 8th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
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Suite 6500
15255 Max Leggett Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218